Police have begun crushing mini-moto bikes to rid the streets of their menace.

People across Sussex say their lives are blighted by yobs of all ages riding machines at 50mph on streets and in public parks.

Seaford police have started crushing the bikes which they seize if officers suspect they are being used to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

In the last week officers have seized four bikes which will be sent to the scrap yard.

People driving the machines illegally are usually given a Section 59 order for a first offence.

But people are continuing to flout the law and police have started to seize and crush the bikes of anyone without a licence or insurance.

Sergeant David Kemp said: "I cannot think of a more deserving a place for these mini-motos than the crusher.

"The best place for them is to be in bits.

"If people use these machines we will take them away and crush them.

"People who use these machines have to realise the public are fed up with the noise and danger posed by these vehicles."

A red mini-moto was taken from a 13-year-old boy after ten people complained to police about him riding it at speed in Chalvington Field in Seaford.

When a member of the public took a picture of the boy with the bike another youth pulled down his trousers and bared his bottom to the pensioner.

Three more mini-motos were taken from an 18-year-old woman and a man and woman in their twenties.

They were riding their bikes along Seaford Promenade narrowly avoiding hitting children and the elderly.

Officers threatened to take the offenders to court charged with driving without a licence and insurance unless they disclaimed ownership of the bikes.

PC Martin Theelke said: "There were no injuries to the public in these incidents but they were a nuisance to the public.

"We could have prosecuted them but have instead issued Section 59 orders and taken their bikes away.

"In the first case, the bike had no brakes and it was a death trap.

"In the second, the people were narrowly missing those walking along the prom."

The bikes were caught by officers driving off road motorcycles which were bought by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership between the police and Lewes District Council.

The Argus launched a campaign earlier this year to end the mini-moto menace.

It wants a change in the law so every owner of a mini motorbike, whether driven on or off-road, registers it with the DVLA.

Legally, mini motorbike riders must follow traffic regulations if their vehicles are used on public roads but the bikes are routinely being driven along pavements and bridleways.

Have you had trouble with mini-motorbikes in your area? Leave your comments below.